It's been a very long time, but I finally have the next chapter ready!
But first, things to apologise for…
The very long wait… Real life went crazy for a while, I had revision and exams and in the middle of it all, my Mum had a heart attack and so I've been rather busy at home. Thankfully, she's recovering now and I got into the university I wanted to go to!
This chapter… It's not great I'm afraid and it doesn't read very smoothly. It's more of a filler chapter than anything and I promise that next chapter (which I have almost finished writing) will have plenty of action!
Anyway, sorry for the long authors note and without further ado, here is chapter 8!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer – I do not own anything and I think I might have stolen a few of Margaret Mitchell's lines.
Over the past several months, Scarlett had become accustomed to Rhett's visits. He appeared without warning and then left without saying goodbye. However, every time he was in Atlanta he didn't fail to call upon the Hamilton household. At first, Scarlett thought that it was because of Wade that he stopped by so frequently. She laughed quietly to herself as it had become increasingly obvious that Rhett was besotted with their son and had even taken to bringing toy soldiers and cloth to make into clothes for him, for which Scarlett, although wary at first, was nonetheless grateful. Luxury items were hard to get hold of and Wade outgrew his clothes so quickly now.
She sighed and wondered, not for the first time if Melanie or Aunt Pitty suspected anything. Aunt Pitty she knew was worried and anxious about receiving Rhett and when he called, she usually retired to her room or remembered a visit that she had to go on. Melanie simply treated Rhett as a hero of the confederacy and with utmost respect. In return, he was always kind and the perfect gentleman in her company. Sometimes, it would annoy Scarlett so much that no one saw through his act that she longed to tell Melly was Rhett was really like, but of course, she couldn't do so without risk revealing her own secret.
For Wade's first birthday, Scarlett and Melanie had decided to throw a party. It was a small gathering, with only Scarlett, Melly, Aunt Pitty and Rhett, who, to Scarlett's amusement, had so expertly charmed an invite out of Melly. Despite his constant presence at the house over the past months, Scarlett was still slightly apprehensive about the party as she didn't know how Rhett would act. He was unpredictable at the best of times and Scarlett was hoping he would be on his best behaviour, for Wade's sake at least.
In the end, the party turned out to be largely a success. Wade was passed around and smothered with hugs and kisses from Scarlett, Melanie and Pitty and lots of hair ruffling from Rhett. Presents were given and played with and all in all, Scarlett was very happy with the way the party was going. Indeed, it wasn't until the end when things began going downhill.
"Oh Captain Butler, you're so good with Wade, why not many men would attend a child's birthday party, unless it was their own child, of course." Melanie said as Rhett was playing peek-a-boo with Wade.
An easy smile graced his features, but Scarlett felt her heart thump erratically in her chest. This was exactly the sort of conversation she wanted to avoid. Her eyes darted between Rhett and Melanie.
"Wade is a very charming boy" he said by way of explanation.
"Yes, he is isn't he?" Melanie said. "If only Charlie were still alive. He would be so proud" she smiled sadly.
Scarlett saw the smile on Rhett's face become fixed.
"Yes, I'm sure he would" he said, his voice as smooth as ever as he rose from his place on the floor. He ruffled Wade's hair one last time and straightened out his pale blue waistcoat.
"Unfortunately, it's time I took my leave. I'm leaving for Europe tomorrow and I must make sure everything is in order before I go."
Scarlett looked up, a small frown crossing her face. Europe? He'd be gone a while then, she thought.
"Mrs Hamilton, if you would kindly show me out?" Scarlett nodded and stood up as Rhett bade farewell to Melanie and Aunt Pitty.
Out in the hall she watched as Rhett collected his hat and jacket.
"Well…" he began.
"I didn't know you were going to Europe!" Scarlett blurted out, before blushing. It wasn't any of her business what Rhett did and she knew he was under no obligation to tell her anything.
He chuckled slightly. "Last minute decision, my dear." There were a few moments of silence before he spoke again. "I had a nice time today Scarlett. I'm glad I was here, I mean…" he broke off, a strange expression on his face. "I have to go" he said and with that, he opened the door and strode gracefully down the path, leaving Scarlett standing in the doorway, both bewildered and curious as to what was going on his head. He had acted so strangely, these past few minutes, and she wasn't a fool. She knew that Melly's mention of Charles had affected him. Shutting the door behind her, she was just glad that he had (for the most part) kept his composure and hadn't let on that anything was wrong.
Despite the war raging on around her, Scarlett was, for the most part, happy. One day in late June, Scarlett was presented with a large box tied up with a red ribbon. She set the box down and eagerly pulled at the ribbon as Rhett watched on in amusement.
"Oh Rhett, it's just darling!" Scarlett cried as she lifted the green bonnet out of the box. "Did you buy it especially for me?"
"Of course, who else could wear that colour? Do you think I carried the colour of your eyes well?"
Scarlett barely heard him as she balanced on a stool, trying to see in the mirror. Glancing at Rhett, she noticed he wasn't paying attention to her but to his cigar. She smiled mischievously and put on the bonnet backwards.
"How do I look?" she asked, turning round and fluttering her eyelashes. He frowned.
"Awful! This war stopped being a joke when girls like you don't know how to wear the latest fashion" he said and strode over to the stool. Prying the bonnet off her head he placed it on the right way. Scarlett took the opportunity to study him. His dark eyes gleaming with amusement as he tried to tie the ribbon under her chin. Scarlett giggled at the look of concentration on his face.
"Here, let me" she said and turned back to the mirror. "Oh Rhett, it's so pretty but you know I can't accept it" she sighed as she admired the pretty picture she made.
"Of course you can. If you want you can tell anyone who asks that you gave me a picture and I extorted fifty dollars off you for it."
"No, I shall tell them one hundred and then they'll be pea green with envy at my extravagance! Was it very expensive?"
"Only the best for you my dear. Just remember that I always get paid in the end" he grinned and Scarlett hopped off the stool.
"I will pay you back when I have the money" Scarlett said.
"I don't want your money Scarlett."
"Well I won't marry you for it" she said coquettishly, and he laughed loudly.
"No, I'm not a marrying man my dear" he said, a strange, almost regretful look washing over his face before he put his mask of amusement back on so quickly that Scarlett was oblivious to any change.
"No? Well I won't kiss you for it either" she said saucily, before blushing.
"You won't? And here I was thinking you rather liked my kisses!" Rhett grinned, waggling his eyebrows at her. Scarlett tried to scowl at his indecent behaviour, but couldn't stop a small smile spreading across her face.
"Whether I like your kisses or not is entirely irrelevant Captain Butler" she said airily.
"Not to me, after all, I do have a reputation to uphold!" he said.
"What do you want me to say?" Scarlett said, "That I dream about you every night, that I count the hours until I see you again?" she teased.
"Not the minutes?" he replied, a roguish grin on his face.
"You're a conceited varmint and I don't know why I let you see me!" Scarlett huffed.
"I'll tell you why, it's because I'm the only man between the ages of 16 and 60 who's around to show you a good time!"
"A good time? Yes it must be, for I'm sure I don't keep you around because of your charming personality!" Scarlett giggled. She liked it when she and Rhett were able to joke around and act as though the war were merely a bad dream. She thought of all the little presents of hair pins and needles, toys for Wade and everything else Rhett had done for her over the past year. All the dances and parties he'd accompanied her to. She looked forward to his visits and all the attention he would shower on her, just as if she was still the belle of 5 counties. Every time she heard the tell-tale hoof beats on the road her heart would beat in anticipation and excitement. Why, it's almost as though I'm in love with him! Scarlett thought one day as she watched Rhett stride down the path to the house. But I can't be and I just don't understand it!
She knew that her association with Rhett was not good for her reputation and, partly due to his not so subtle hints, she had completely abandoned her mourning clothes several weeks ago. Not surprisingly, she was subject to several disapproving stares and gossip amongst the people of Atlanta, but she merely brushed it off. Who cares what they think about me? She thought one day as Rhett was driving her home from the hospital. Who'd want to be boring and gloomy like them? She voiced this thought to Rhett, who laughed.
"My dear, I do believe you've made a habit of shocking the confederacy, but if they knew what you truly thought of them then I would truly fear for your reputation!" he grinned.
"Fiddle dee dee Rhett, how you do run on!" Scarlett said lightly, remembering something Rhett had once told her; "Well, you always said that with enough bravery one can do without a reputation."
"So I did, but I was under the impression that you only kept me around for my presents rather than my advice!"
Scarlett blushed slightly, as that thought had run through her mind. If Rhett had had enough of pretending, then she would rather take the risk and be ostracised along with him than lose the steady stream of gifts and attention that, she admitted to herself, was the main reason she stayed in Atlanta. Still, she tried to protest.
"Don't be silly Rhett, of course I listen to you. After all, you're the only person who can't judge me as whatever I do, you're bound to have done something much worse" she stated.
Rhett laughed out loud, drawing looks from people walking past. "Really? Well I hardly think you're in a position to judge anyone my dear. If the good folk of Atlanta only knew what I do about you then even a reprobate like me would be held in higher regard than yourself!"
Scarlett scowled, her good mood evaporating. "I hardly think that one moment of madness is worse than a lifetime of misdeeds" she said in a steely voice.
"That may be true, but you know as well as I do that those old cats won't see it like that."
"It was all your fault anyway." Scarlett declared, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You always seem so ready to blame me. Perhaps you should take more of the blame. That ridiculously inappropriate dress you wore for a start practically screamed 'kiss me!'" he said teasingly, "and it worked."
"It worked a bit too well thank you very much" Scarlett muttered. "We really shouldn't be talking about such things Rhett. Why, if someone heard us then I'd be ruined" she glanced round nervously.
"No one can hear us Scarlett. Besides, even if they did I'm not sure they'd believe their ears."
"Really?" Scarlett asked.
"Well, actually seeing as it's you, they might- Ow!" he exclaimed as Scarlett's elbow dug into his side. He glanced sideways at her. Her eyes were narrowed and she sat stonily on the seat. Rhett grinned to himself at her childish behaviour, willing to bet any money that he would be given the silent treatment for the rest of the journey back to Aunt Pitty's.
So, please review and let me know what you think, any feedback is appreciated!
Miss Ivy